Apparatus for effectively sealing materials containers

ABSTRACT

Apparatus is provided for sealing cylindrical materials containers such as paint cans and caulking tubes. The apparatus includes a cylindrical sleeve constructed of a semi-rigid, rubber-like material having a first open-base end, where the first open-base end opens into a cylindrical chamber, inner and outer cylindrical surfaces of which extend contiguously from the first open-base end to a second closed-base end of the sleeve. The inner cylindrical surface includes at least one annular bead or protrusion disposed thereon. The apparatus also includes a clamp for placement over an annular portion of the outer cylindrical surface disposed opposite the annular bead to compel a pressure seal by the bead with an outer surface of the materials container. Same features enable the apparatus to usefully and efficaciously seal an access opening in the materials container enclosed and clamped by same.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to apparatus for resealing materials containers to preserve material contents therein, and more particularly relates to apparatus constructed for use with and enclosure about a portion of a materials container including the container's materials access opening, whereby materials remaining in the container are sealed from the outside environment and therefore maintained in a useable state during storage.

[0002] Conventional means are known which attempt to implement and maintain air-tight seals to “once-again” sealed materials containers. Resealing paint cans, caulking tubes, and like materials containers is carried out in our efforts to prevent the drying of and concomitant damage to material contents of the materials container during storage. That is, after opening a paint container, or other materials container, and using less than all of the material contents of the materials container, most users normally attempt to reseal the container's spout (or materials access opening in the container), such as by replacing the paint container lid by fitting it into the track it must be pried from.

[0003] The trouble with the conventional means is that replacing the lid or cover to the container to reseal the container with the original lid gives no guarantee that the materials contained in the container will be preserved over time. That is, during a conventional paint can's first opening, both a metal rim or materials access opening in the cylindrical paint can body, and a metal lid or cover which is factory-sealed to the filled paint can, may be stretched or otherwise damaged by the physical actions of the user when prying the lid to access the paint. Once you stress the metal to separate opposing surfaces, the surfaces are not easily pressed back together, particularly in order to create a seal.

[0004] In addition to a maladjusted “fit” of a cover or lid of a materials container once it is pried open, paint cans or containers have a tendency to accumulate paint from dripping brushes and the like or near the material access openings, and related surfaces and grooves, lending itself to difficulty in effectively resealing cans after opening. At a can's first opening by a user, the lid and or groove dimensions may be further exacerbated or “stretched” by the opening process itself. That is, the can, lid, groove, etc., dimensions, are frequently significantly altered (e.g., stretched by action of the user when prying open the same). For that matter, anyone who has painted has probably made attempts to reseal paint containers as effectively as possible by reattaching the lid to the container, where he/she finds that after several years the stored paint becomes unusable.

[0005] Similar problems have also plagued manufacturers and distributors of materials that would otherwise have an “after opening” shelf life if the consumer of same was able to effectively reseal the container containing the same materials. For example, materials which generally require great care when resealing or storing left over material in its original material container to minimize or prevent drying and/or degradation include caulking, paints, varnishes, stains, adhesives, etc. to name a few. Paint manufacturers would be particularly interested in development of such a technology to allow a paint user the opportunity to effectively seal any left over paint effectively.

[0006] Specifically, common paint cans are relatively uniformly formed as cylindrical metal containers with a double-tight metal sealing ring or lid attached to a top rim of the container (the conventional seal). The lid is removable to access the paint materials. It is remounted in the opening after first use, typically with force. The lid is grooved and sized in an attempt to create an impregnable re-seal to the container's contents after use. The factory seal is sometimes referred to as a friction seal. Because of the construction (design), the dimensions of both the paint can and the lid to be friction fitted thereon (by the manufacturer after filling) may not be effectively refit to form a gas-tight seal by virtue of paint spilled on and accumulated on the groove and/or lid. That is, the friction fit is rendered unworkable because of unwanted materials thereon.

[0007] Various efforts have been expended in attempts to overcome such problems as evidenced in U.S. Pat. No. 5,568,879. The '879 patent discloses a versatile and universal paint can attachment for use on nominal-sized paint cans and the like. The '879 attachment is designed to snap fit on top of a paint can to protect the “lid-receiving” groove of the paint can from accumulating paint during painting. In this way, the '879 patent attempts to solve the problem of accumulated paint interfering with the container's inherent resealabilty, that is, the patency of the inetrfitting grooves on the can lid.

[0008] Also known is U.S. Pat. No. 4.530,442 to Bogel, J. R., et. al, which discloses a plastic sealing ring for attachment to the rim of a paint container and having an insert for interposition between the rim and sealing ring. Like the '879 patent, though, the '442 “attachment” is quite cumbersome to use, and essentially requires the user to consider sealing during the time he/she is using the material contents. Hence, neither patent disclose means which are effective to cheaply and conveniently maintain the material contents of “resealed” containers. But like the '981 patent, the '442 and '879 patents merely disclose means or a device for protecting the sealing groove included in conventional paint cans in order to “effectively” re-seal the can after initial opening.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 4,964,527 to Martin discloses means which attempt to overcome problems with conventional cans with a single piece tool for placement into the container. The single piece tool is basically a round tube having a V-shaped trough around the outside diameter of the tube. When a paint brush is dipped into the '527 paint container, excess paint that would ordinarily flow into the sealing groove is contained by the tool to prevent paint build-up on surfaces which could effect resealing. And U.S. Pat. No. 4,930,177 to Rastutis discloses a scraping tool for removing paint residue from the friction seal of paint cans, before resealing, and a U.S. Pat. No. 5,641,089 discloses apparatus for protecting the paint-can groove in effort to maintain same after opening.

[0010] However, the devices disclosed in the '527, '089, '177 patents are not only cumbersome to use, but have limited resealability. This is particularly so with respect to alteration in the container dimensions, particularly the lid, as mentioned, and container surfaces which contact the lid when seated. So it is not merely paint drippings or spillage on the containers during use which presents problems for resealing the paint can employing friction fitting, but the unintentional but almost unavoidable change in can dimension mentioned above. And concurrently with the above mentioned efforts to develop means for effectively resealing a paint can after its cover or lid is first removed to access materials have seen concurrent if not similar efforts to develop means for effectively resealing caulking tubes (or caulking materials containers). It seems that as with paint cans, breaking the factory seal of caulking tubes often prevents effectively resealing same after first use. Hence, caulking tube contents are rendered unusable over time. But like conventional technologies for resealing paint cans, attempts to maintain a water-tight reseal for caulking tubes after their first use has significant drawbacks. For that matter, no workable means for effectively sealing caulking tubes has heretofore been available up until now.

[0011] Therefore, it is an objective of the present invention to provide apparatus for easily, cheaply and efficiently sealing/resealing materials containers, such as paint cans and/or caulking tubes, in such a way that overcomes the drawbacks of the conventional technology for resealing the containers.

[0012] It is another object of the present invention to provide a device for effectively resealing, and maintaining the re-seal in a gas impermeable state at around atmospheric pressure, particular contents of the materials containers which have a tendency to degrade, solidify, and/or lose part of its constitution due to evaporation and escape through an imperfect seal into the open air over extended periods of time.

[0013] In a preferred form, the invention embodies a re-useable, materials container sealing apparatus (or “sealer” or “device”) for establishing and maintaining an effective seal/reseal on any conventional, cylindrically-shaped container, such as the ubiquitous 1 and 5 gallon paint can/container, and the like. The materials container sealer of this invention is uniquely constructed as a dimension-tolerant cap or sleeve which is slipped and/or adjusted to cover the container's materials access opening after the container's initial opening to effectively seal/reseal its material contents, even after the conventional lid is attached to the container. The sealing apparatus' sleeve is preferably formed of rubber or rubber like materials to include one or more gaskets or gasket-like protrusions or beads extending from the inner surface of the sleeve. By pressing against the sleeve at the gasket, the gasket acts to reinforce the seal's integrity. For that matter, in some instances, replacing the manufacturer's lid may be unnecessary or superfluous because of use of the present invention seals the materials container regardless of the state of the opening, render the invention cheap and easy to use by homeowners not normally associated with construction and/or building materials.

[0014] Also included with the invention is a clamp for maintaining an annular force against the outer cylindrical surface of the sleeve, at a portion under which the gasket portion is disposed, to force the gasket or bead against the outer surface of the container below the access opening to facilitate a seal for same. Before sealing, the apparatus is slipped on and extended over the opening. Accordingly the user can seal his/her containers regardless of the perfection, or lack thereof, of the container's sealing surfaces.

[0015] Hence, the rubber or rubber-like sleeve (and bead), because of its flexible nature, may be used on varying dimension materials containers. The clamp may be any conventional clamping apparatus and/or hardware, known to those skilled in the art capable of compressing the cover against the outer container surface. Preferably, however, a hand tightened wire or band may be used to minimize the effort required to put pressure at the area of the nib and thereby maintain the seal in accordance herewith. It should be noted, however, that conventional clamping means such as a stainless steel clamps or bands may be used without departing from the scope and spirit herein, including those requiring the user to tighten with a screwdriver or like tool.

[0016] And in a second embodiment, a sealing apparatus or seal is disclosed for providing cheap, efficient and effective resealing ability when used to maintain the contents of a materials tube container for extended periods of time. Like the first embodiment, the tube sealing apparatus or seal includes a sleeve made of sturdy but flexible materials so that the inside diameter can be extended to slip over the outer surface of the tube or spout of the tube being resealed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

[0017]FIG. 1 is a plan schematic representation of one embodiment of the invention for same use with a conventional 1 gallon paint can, and like material containers;

[0018]FIG. 2 is a cutaway view which highlights an inside surface of the sleeve which was described above with respect to FIG. 1;

[0019]FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of another embodiment of the sealing apparatus of this invention for use with conventional caulking tubes and like materials containers; and

[0020]FIG. 4A is a cutaway view which highlights an inside surface of the sleeve described herein with respect to FIG. 3; and

[0021]FIG. 4B is a schematic representation of a hand clamp which is disposed around the sleeve when place over the materials access opening of the sleeve shown in FIG. 4A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] Apparatus is provided for sealing cylindrical materials containers and method for utilizing same. The invention embodies apparatus comprising a right cylindrical sleeve constructed of a semi-rigid, rubber-like material. The sleeve includes a first open-base end opening into a cylindrical chamber, inner and outer cylindrical surfaces of which extend contiguously from the first open-base end, and a second closed-base end of the sleeve, disposed opposite the first open base end. The inner cylindrical surface includes at least one annular bead or protrusion disposed thereon. The apparatus includes a clamp for placement over an annular portion of the sleeve's outer cylindrical surface at a position which opposes the annular bead. Activating or tightening the clamp generates a pressure seal between the sleeve's inner cylindrical surface (and bead) with an annular portion of the outer surface of the materials container.

[0023] A first embodiment of applicant's materials Container sealing apparatus 100 (referred to hereinafter interchangeably as apparatus or device) will now be described with reference to FIG. 1. Apparatus 100 is shown in FIG. 1 to include a sleeve 110 for covering and resealing an access opening 124 of a conventional materials container 120, e.g., a one (1) gallon paint can. Sleeve or cover 110 is constructed of a semi-rigid materials to include an outer cylindrical surface 112 and an inner cylindrical surface 114, which actually contacts the container's outer cylindrical surface, which is contiguously connected as one piece to an top surface 113 (outer) and inner top surface 115 exposed oppositely from the outer top surface.

[0024] Inner cylindrical surface 114 is also constructed to include a gasket-like protrusion or nib 116, which is instrumental in creating the invention's improved sealing ability. Hence, the nib or protrusion preferably extends along the entire inner cylindrical surface 114. By application of an annular or inner directed force against the outer surface 112 of sleeve 110 at the portion of the same surface which is oppositely disposed from the inner surface 114 location of nib 116, the protrusion is forced and/or compressed against an outer cylindrical surface 122 of the container being resealed. The seal imposed thereby is gas-impervious to prevent evaporation of liquid and/or gaseous contents of the materials therein. Hence, the invention may be used to effectively seal the materials container without first attempting to replace the lid 124, as well as preventing entry of external gases in th_ container to contaminate the contents therein.

[0025] In order to impose the inner directed force along the outer surface of the sleeve just above the bead or protrusion, a clamp or spring capable of providing the inner directed tension is placed around the outer surface 112. That is, a clamp 140 is placed over the sleeve and activated for clamping at the outer cylindrical surface 112 to force the bead or protrusion against the outer cylindrical surface 122 of right cylindrical materials container 130. The gas-tight seal is provided by the annular pressure effectively sealing the material contents of the container. By utilizing the first sealing apparatus 100 of this invention to seal the contents of a paint can, or like container, in order that any materials contained and resealed therein are effectively prevented from environmental contact, i.e., gaseous communication.

[0026] In a second embodiment, a materials container sealing apparatus 200 will now be described with reference to the caulking tube device shown in FIG. 3. Sealing apparatus 200 includes a sheath or cover 210 comprised of a rubber or rubber-like material for placement over the spout 222 of the caulking tube device 220, Cover or sheath 222 is formed rigidly to maintain a shape of the cover, but not too rigid as to prevent slight stretching to create a tight fit during use. Preferably, 210 is a tapered cylindrical shape, with its larger end diameter at its open end 211 (FIG. 4).

[0027] Sealing apparatus 200 is shown in FIG. 3 after sleeve 210 (at its open end) being placed over, or mechanically fixed upon spout 222 of the caulking tube 220. The caulking tube 220 includes a tubule section 221 from which materials or caulking 223 contained in the tube 220 may be pressed out of spout 222 by driving mechanism inserted within opening 225. Placement of the sleeve over the spout 222 effectively isolates same, and therefore, caulking materials access opening 224 located at the end of spout 222.

[0028] Sheath 210 also includes means for rendering gas-impervious the seal between the outer cylindrical surface of the spout and the inner surface of the sheath. More particularly, sheath 210 is constructed to include inner and outer surfaces 212, 214, respectively. When the sheath 210 is slipped over spout access opening 224, the spout outside diameter is typically much smaller than that of the inside sleeve diameter of sheath opening 211. Because of the tapered nature of the sheath, and by inserting the spout deeper into the inner sleeve of sheath, the end of the spout will eventually slide up to and butt against the sleeve's inner surface.

[0029] To facilitate a gas-impervious seal, an annular protrusion or bead 218 is constructed on inner surface 212 of the sleeve 210. By applying an annular clamping force against the outer surface 210 of the sleeve, at a position on the outer surface opposite bead's position on the inner surface, will compress the bead against outer surface 226 of spout 222. The clamping force is responsible for effectively sealing the contents in the spout and tube to moisture and gas, effectively maintaining the caulking material 223 left in the tube in its useable state far longer than could be accomplishes using traditional technology. It should be noted, that annular protrusion or bead 218 shall be shall run continuously for the entire circumference of the inner surface 212.

[0030] By utilizing sealing apparatus 200, materials held in and dispensed from tubes, such as caulking materials mentioned, may be maintained and protected against the environment under varying conditions over extended periods of time. And while this application specifically describes the embodiments with reference to FIGS. 1-4, same is set forth for descriptive and instructive purposes only, and is not meant to be limiting in any way. The must note that the claims refer to right cylindrical materials containers, and, of course, caulking tubes, which are not part of the invention, or required structure or apparatus in any of the claims.

[0031] In additional embodiments of the invention, the apparatus for resealing a right cylindrical materials container or a right cylindrical spouts materials container may further comprise one or more additional beads extending from the original annular bead perpendicular from the annular bead towards the open end of the apparatus. The one or more additional perpendicular beads provide a space between the apparatus for resealing and the materials container to allow for expulsion of air as the apparatus is applied to the container.

[0032] Specifically, the invention relates to an apparatus for resealing a right cylindrical materials container, wherein said container includes a closed base end and an openable top end, and a cylindrical portion extending between said base and top ends, said apparatus comprising:

[0033] a right cylindrical sleeve constructed of a flexible material wherein said flexability allows said sleeve to be placed over containers of different circumferences, and having inner and outer cylindrical surfaces wherein said inner cylindrical surface includes an annular bead, a closed end and open end, the diameter of said inner cylindrical surface being sized to enable the open end of said sleeve to be slipped over the top end of said container and the sleeve to be lowered over the container to snugly engage the exterior surface of the cylindrical portion of said container below said top end and wherein the inner cylindrical surface further comprises at least one additional bead, that extends from the annular bead perpendicular from said annular bead towards the opening end of the cap

[0034] whereby pressure applied circumferentially around the outer surface of said sleeve when placed over said container forms an airtight seal between the inner surface of said sleeve and the outer surface of the cylindrical portion of said container.

[0035] Further, the invention relates to an apparatus for resealing a right cylindrical spouts materials container, wherein said container includes a closed base end and an top end cyclindrical spout, and a cylindrical portion extending between said base and top ends, said apparatus comprising: a right cylindrical sleeve constructed of a flexible material wherein said flexability allows said sleeve to be placed over containers of different circumferences, and having inner and outer cylindrical surfaces wherein said inner cylindrical surface includes an annular bead, a closed base end and an open end, the diameter of said inner cylindrical surface being sized to enable the open end of said sleeve to be slipped over the top end of cyclindrical spout of said container and the sleeve to be lowered over the top end cyclindrical spout of said container to snugly engage the exterior surface of the top end cylindrical spout of said container below said top end, and wherein the inner cylindrical surface further comprises at least one additional bead, that extends from the annular bead perpendicular from said annular bead towards the opening end of the cap, and

[0036] whereby pressure applied circumferentially around the outer surface of said sleeve when placed over said top end cyclindrical spout forms an air tight seal between the inner surface of said sleeve and the outer surface of the top end cylindrical spout of said container.

[0037] The present invention is not to be limited in scope by the specific embodiments described herein. Indeed, various modifications of the invention in addition to those described herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description and accompanying Figures. Such modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. Various references are cited herein, the disclosure of which are incorporated by reference in their entireties. 

I claim:
 1. Apparatus for resealing a right cylindrical materials container, wherein said container includes a closed base end and an openable top end, and a cylindrical portion extending between said base and top ends, said apparatus comprising: a right cylindrical sleeve constructed of a flexible material wherein said flexability allows said sleeve to be placed over containers of different circumferences, and having inner and outer cylindrical surfaces, a closed end and an open end, the diameter of said inner cylindrical surface being sized to enable the open end of said sleeve to be slipped over the top end of said container and the sleeve to be lowered over the container to snugly engage the exterior surface of the cylindrical portion of said container below said top end, whereby pressure applied circumferentially around the outer surface of said sleeve when placed over said container forms an air tight seal between the inner surface of said sleeve and the outer surface of the cylindrical portion of said container.
 2. Apparatus for resealing a right cylindrical materials container, wherein said container includes a closed base end and an openable top end, and a cylindrical portion extending between said base and top ends, said apparatus comprising: a right cylindrical sleeve constructed of a flexible material wherein said flexability allows said sleeve to be placed over containers of different circumferences, and having inner and outer cylindrical surfaces wherein said inner cylindrical surface includes an annular bead, a closed end and open end, the diameter of said inner cylindrical surface being sized to enable the open end of said sleeve to be slipped over the top end of said container and the sleeve to be lowered over the container to snugly engage the exterior surface of the cylindrical portion of said container below said top end, whereby pressure applied circumferentially around the outer surface of said sleeve when placed over said container forms an airtight seal between the inner surface of said sleeve and the outer surface of the cylindrical portion of said container.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising: a clamp having a cylindrical clamping surface arranged about said sleeve such that the cylindrical clamping surface is disposed over the sleeve's outer cylindrical surface opposing said annular bead: whereby tightening the clamp during application of said apparatus to a materials container generates a pressure seal at said bead and the surface of the cylindrical materials container thereby forming an airtight seal.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a clamp having a cylindrical clamping surface arranged about said sleeve such that the cylindrical clamping surface is disposed over the sleeve's outer cylindrical surface: whereby tightening the clamp during application of said apparatus to a materials container generates a pressure seal at the surface of the cylindrical materials container thereby forming an airtight seal.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein said right cylindrical materials container is a one gallon paint can.
 6. Apparatus for resealing a right cylindrical spout materials container, wherein said container includes a closed base end and a top end cyclindrical spout, and a cylindrical portion extending between said base and top ends, said apparatus comprising: a right cylindrical sleeve constructed of a flexible material wherein said flexability allows said sleeve to be placed over containers of different circumferences, and having inner and outer cylindrical surfaces, a closed base end and open end, the diameter of said inner cylindrical surface being sized to enable the open end of said sleeve to be slipped over the top end cyclindrical spout of said container and the sleeve to be lowered over the top end cyclindrical spout to snugly engage the exterior surface of the top end cylindrical spout of said container below said top end, whereby pressure applied circumferentially around the outer surface of said sleeve when placed over said top end cyclindrical spout forms an air tight seal between the inner surface of said sleeve and the outer surface of the top end cylindrical spout of said container.
 7. Apparatus for resealing a right cylindrical spouts materials container, wherein said container includes a closed base end and an top end cyclindrical spout, and a cylindrical portion extending between said base and top ends, said apparatus comprising: a right cylindrical sleeve constructed of a flexible material wherein said flexability allows said sleeve to be placed over containers of different circumferences, and having inner and outer cylindrical surfaces wherein said inner cylindrical surface includes an annular bead, a closed base end and an open end, the diameter of said inner cylindrical surface being sized to enable the open end of said sleeve to be slipped over the top end of cyclindrical spout of said container and the sleeve to be lowered over the top end cyclindrical spout of said container to snugly engage the exterior surface of the top end cylindrical spout of said container below said top end, whereby pressure applied circumferentially around the outer surface of said sleeve when placed over said top end cyclindrical spout forms an air tight seal between the inner surface of said sleeve and the outer surface of the top end cylindrical spout of said container.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising: a clamp having a cylindrical clamping surface arranged about said sleeve such that the cylindrical clamping surface is disposed over the annular portion of the spout's outer cylindrical surface; whereby tightening the clamp during application of said apparatus to a materials container generates a pressure seal at the surface of the cylindrical spout thereby forming an airtight seal.
 9. The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising: a clamp having a cylindrical clamping surface arranged about said sleeve such that the cylindrical clamping surface is disposed over the spout's outer cylindrical surface: whereby tightening the clamp during application of said apparatus to a materials container generates a pressure seal at the surface of the cylindrical materials container thereby forming an airtight seal.
 10. The apparatus of claim 8 or 9, wherein said clamp is hand ajustable.
 11. The apparatus of claim 8 or 9, wherein said clamp is screw tightenable.
 12. A method for resealing a right cylindrical materials container wherein said container includes a closed base end and an openable top end, and a cylindrical portion extending between said base and top ends, comprising: (i) application of a right cylindrical sleeve, constructed of a flexible material wherein said flexability allows said sleeve to be placed over containers of different circumferences, and having inner and outer cylindrical surfaces, a closed end and an open end, the diameter of said inner cylindrical surface being sized to enable the open end of said sleeve, over the top end of said container; (ii) lowering the sleeve over the container to snugly engage the exterior surface of the cylindrical portion of said container below said top end: and (iii) applying pressure circumferentially around the outer surface of said sleeve when placed over said container thereby forming an airtight seal between the inner surface of said sleeve and the outer surface of the cylindrical portion of said container.
 13. A method for resealing a right cylindrical materials container wherein said container includes a closed base end and an openable top end, and a cylindrical portion extending between said base and top ends, comprising: (i) application of a right cylindrical sleeve, constructed of a flexible material wherein said flexability allows said sleeve to be placed over containers of different circumferences, and having inner and outer cylindrical surfaces wherein said inner cyclindrical surface includes an annular bead, a closed end and an open end, the diameter of said inner cylindrical surface being sized to enable the open end of said sleeve, over the top end of said container; (ii) lowering the sleeve over the container to snugly engage the exterior surface of the cylindrical portion of said container below said top end: and (iii) applying pressure circumferentially around the outer surface of said sleeve when placed over said container thereby forming an airtight seal between the inner surface of said sleeve and the outer surface of the cylindrical portion of said container.
 14. A method for resealing a right cylindrical materials container wherein said container includes a closed base end and an openable top end, and a cylindrical portion extending between said base and top ends, comprising: (i) application of a right cylindrical sleeve, constructed of a flexible material wherein said flexability allows said sleeve to be placed over containers of different circumferences, and having inner and outer cylindrical surfaces, a closed end and an open end, the diameter of said inner cylindrical surface being sized to enable the open end of said sleeve, over the top end of said container; (ii) lowering the sleeve over the container to snugly engage the exterior surface of the cylindrical portion of said container below said top end: and (iii) applying a clamp having a cylindrical clamping surface wherein the clamp is arranged about the sleeve such that its cylindrical clamping surface is disposed over a portion of the sleeve's outer cylindrical surface; and (iv) tightening the clamp thereby forming an airtight seal between the inner surface of said sleeve and the outer surface of the cylindrical portion of said container.
 15. The method of claim 12 or 13 wherein the shape of the materials container approximates the shape of a paint can.
 16. The method of claim 12 or 13 wherein the shape of the materials container approximates the shape of a caulking tube.
 17. An apparatus for resealing a right cylindrical materials container, wherein said container includes a closed base end and an openable top end, and a cylindrical portion extending between said base and top ends, said apparatus comprising: a right cylindrical sleeve constructed of a flexible material wherein said flexability allows said sleeve to be placed over containers of different circumferences, and having inner and outer cylindrical surfaces wherein said inner cylindrical surface includes an annular bead, a closed end and open end, the diameter of said inner cylindrical surface being sized to enable the open end of said sleeve to be slipped over the top end of said container and the sleeve to be lowered over the container to snugly engage the exterior surface of the cylindrical portion of said container below said top end and wherein the inner cylindrical surface further comprises at least one additional bead, that extends from the annular bead perpendicular from said annular bead towards the opening end of the cap whereby pressure applied circumferentially around the outer surface of said sleeve when placed over said container forms an airtight seal between the inner surface of said sleeve and the outer surface of the cylindrical portion of said container.
 18. An apparatus for resealing a right cylindrical spouts materials container, wherein said container includes a closed base end and an top end cyclindrical spout, and a cylindrical portion extending between said base and top ends, said apparatus comprising: a right cylindrical sleeve constructed of a flexible material wherein said flexability allows said sleeve to be placed over containers of different circumferences, and having inner and outer cylindrical surfaces wherein said inner cylindrical surface includes an annular bead, a closed base end and an open end, the diameter of said inner cylindrical surface being sized to enable the open end of said sleeve to be slipped over the top end of cyclindrical spout of said container and the sleeve to be lowered over the top end cyclindrical spout of said container to snugly engage the exterior surface of the top end cylindrical spout of said container below said top end, and wherein the inner cylindrical surface further comprises at least one additional bead, that extends from the annular bead perpendicular from said annular bead towards the opening end of the cap, and whereby pressure applied circumferentially around the outer surface of said sleeve when placed over said top end cyclindrical spout forms an air tight seal between the inner surface of said sleeve and the outer surface of the top end cylindrical spout of said container. 